Cooper, Samuel (1798-1876) to Robert E. Lee
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05751 Author/Creator: Cooper, Samuel (1798-1876) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 June 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 20.1 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy
Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, writes to Lee, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Referring to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, writes "Whilst with the President last night I recd your letter of the 23rd inst." Relates that Davis had not yet heard of a plan to organize troops at Culpepper Court House under General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard. Informs Lee of a large Union force, some of whom are "in the vicinity of the White House & the remainder at Yorktown." Refers to recent damage the Union exacted on Hanover, Virginia, two days after General Montgomery Dent Corse's brigade left Hanover for Gordonsville, Virginia. Writes "Every effort is being made here to be prepared for the enemy at all points; but we must look chiefly to the protection of the capital- in doing this we may be obliged to hazzard something at other points. You can easily estimate our strength here: & I would suggest for your consideration, whether, in this state of things, you might not be able to spare a portion of your force to protect your line of communication against attempted raids of the enemy."
Adj. & Inspr. Genl Office
Richmond June 28/ 63
General
While with the President last night I red. your letter of the 23d. inst: After reading it the President was embarrassed to understand that part of it which refers to the place of assembling an army at Culpepper Court [stood?] under Genl Beauregard. This is the first intimation he has had that such a plan was ever in contemplation, and taking all things into consideration, he cannot perceive how it can by any possibility be carried into effect.
You will doubtless learn, before this reaches you, that the enemy has again aseembled in force in the Peninsula, estimated between 20000 & 30000 men - from 6000 to 10000 of whom are reported to be in the vicinity of the White House & the remainder at Yorktown. It is impossible to say whether this estimated number is correct, as the several accounts vary and are not deemed altogether reliable; but the estimated, making due allowance for errors, is quite near enough to satisfy the most incredulous that the enemy is in the vicinity in sufficient force in cavalry, artillery and infantry to do much harm, whither his [2] purpose be to make a demonstration on Richmond, or to confine himself to raid & in breaking your communications, & devastating the country. His efforts in the last case may prove more unsuccessful than in the first, if we may judge by what took place at Hanover only two days ago, when about 1000 to 1200 of his cavalry suddenly appeared there and did some execution in breaking the rail road & burning a bridge, some buildings, public stores &c &c. It is unfortunate that this raid took place only about two days after Genl. Corses' brigade had left there for [struck: illegible] Gordonsville. Had it remained at Hanover Junction, it is reasonable to suppose that most of the enemy's cavalry would have been either destroyed or captured, & the property saved from injury.
Every effort is being made here to be prepared for the enemy at all points; but we must look chiefly to the protection of the capital - in doing this we may be obliged to haggard something at other points. You can easily estimate our strength here; & I would suggest for your consideration, whether, in this state of things, you might not be able to spare a portion of your force to protect your line of communication against [3] attempted raids by the enemy.
Very respectfully
Your obt Servt
Ad & I Genl
Genl. R. E. Lee
Cavalry Army Northern Virginia
Winchester
Va
[docket]
June 28 - 63
S. Cooper to
Genl. Lee (Rebel army)
Inquiring of appearance
of fire on Peninsula
&c -
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